Private school graduations held

Friday night produced 105 new high school graduates in the county, with four area schools hosting graduation ceremonies.

It was a time of reflection and wistful hopes for the future.

For some it also evoked many emotions.

Logan Dawson, valedictorian at Wayne Christian, said she felt a combination of excitement, sadness and anticipation for the upcoming journey she and her classmates would face.

While she admittedly could not recall her first day at the school --she was only eight weeks old when she was brought to the daycare -- she could "vividly remember" walking across the stage to receive her K-5 diploma.

It was "surreal," she said, to be receiving a high school diploma. As memories came flooding back of the parents, teachers and others who contributed to their education, Logan recalled a sermon she heard in middle school on reasons to be an eagle.

Typically, she explained, the birds don't flock and they place their nests in hard to reach places, protect their own and soar to greater heights, she said, before challenging fellow graduates to aspire to do the same.

"Hold fast to God's plan for your life and always remember what it means to be an eagle," she said.

Salutatorian Hannah Glover recalled some of the fun days -- the senior trip to Orlando, Florida, the junior trip to Washington D.C. But above all, she said, the school had strengthened her faith and relationship with God.

"Through daily Bible classes and weekly chapel sessions, we have been taught to study God's word. Proverbs 27:17 says, 'As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,'" she said. ... "Hopefully we will all be able to use the values, knowledge and wisdom that we have been taught at Wayne Christian School to make the right decisions and follow God's will for our lives."

Wayne Christian had 21 graduates. Pastor Dave Johnson of Freedom Baptist Church also gave a commencement address.

Hinson paid tribute to those who invested their lives into those of the students' -- teachers, administrators and parents.

"Now it is time to go our separate ways," he told his fellow graduates. "As we do, I want to challenge you to always follow God's will for your life and strive to do your best.

"While we will make new friends in college, let us never forget the wonderful times we shared with each other here."

At Wayne Country Day School, 29 graduates crossed the stage in the gymnasium. Co-valedictorians this year were David Wilson and Grace Lee.

It's been quite a journey for students at the school, Wilson said -- including five different headmasters and a succession of athletic directors and coaches.

"Though some people have come and gone with the class throughout the years, a solid core has stuck together through these changes and ultimately we have grown from them," he said.

Graduation, he added, allowed students to "inventory the boundless knowledge and experience gained on this roller coaster-like journey as we embark on an even bigger journey."

Wayne Early/Middle College High school had 32 graduates in its second year since being added to Wayne County Public Schools' roster. The school, housed on the Wayne Community College campus, held its ceremonies in Moffatt Auditorium.

A valedictorian and salutatorian were not chosen at the school, which instead opted to feature several student speakers.